TL;DR
- Forensic psychologists study criminal behaviour and the reasons behind it and help to treat people who have committed offences, as the National Careers Service puts it. Prospects sums up the purpose: use psychology to understand offending behaviour, reduce risk and support rehabilitation.
- The job has seven duties: assess, formulate, treat, manage risk, report and give evidence, advise and train other professionals, and research. Most work in prisons, secure hospitals, probation and the courts; NHS Health Careers says HM Prison Service is the largest single employer in the UK.
- Forensic psychologist is a protected title: a job description must require HCPC registration, or trainee status on the BPS route, and enhanced background checks. Name the setting and the population, because the work in a prison, a secure unit and a youth justice service differs.
Television has given forensic psychology a glamour the job does not have. The work is not mainly profiling; it is assessment, treatment and risk management with people who have offended, in prisons, secure hospitals and probation services, and it is emotionally demanding, evidence-based and heavily regulated. A forensic psychology job description should say so.
This article gives a forensic psychologist job description: what the role does, using the National Careers Service, Prospects and NHS Health Careers as sources; seven duties; where forensic psychologists work; the skills; the UK training and registration route; and a template for prison, NHS and probation employers. It is written for hiring managers and for people considering the career; it is general information, and the route described is the UK one.
Forensic psychologists work in multidisciplinary teams where supervision and reflection are part of the job. See how New Dynamics continuous feedback supports check-ins between managers and their teams.
What is a forensic psychologist?
The National Careers Service says forensic psychologists “study criminal behaviour and the reasons behind it, and help to treat people who have committed offences”, and lists criminal psychologist, investigative psychologist and legal psychologist as alternative titles. Prospects describes the purpose as using psychology “to understand offending behaviour, reduce risk and support rehabilitation”, applying psychological knowledge to criminal investigations and the wider criminal justice system. NHS Health Careers says they work with all aspects of the criminal justice system.
Prospects lists who the work involves: prisoners, people on probation, people receiving treatment in secure mental health services, and professionals in the police, courts, prisons, probation and social care. It adds that the work “may help people move away from offending, manage risk, make prisons and secure mental health services safer, and protect the public”.
Forensic psychologist is a protected title. Prospects says that to use it “you must complete postgraduate professional training and register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)”. A forensic psychiatrist is a different profession, a doctor; our psychiatrist job description covers it.
Forensic psychologist duties: seven responsibilities
Prospects' list of what forensic psychologists typically do, in our words, covers specialist psychological and risk assessments using interviews, observations, case records and tests; a psychological understanding of a person's offending, mental health needs and vulnerabilities; planning and delivering evidence-based interventions with individuals and groups; assessing and managing risks such as reoffending, violence, self-harm and suicide; monitoring progress and making recommendations; preparing reports and giving evidence to courts, parole boards and tribunals; advising prison, probation and healthcare staff; supporting staff to manage stress and work safely; research, audit and service evaluation; and, with experience, supervising trainees. Grouped for a job description, there are seven duties.
- Assess. Psychological and risk assessments using interviews, observation, records and psychometric tests.
- Formulate. Build a psychological understanding of the person's offending, needs and vulnerabilities, including what increases and reduces risk.
- Treat. Plan and deliver evidence-based interventions, individually and in groups, to reduce harmful behaviour and support rehabilitation and recovery. Health Careers lists areas including sexual offending, violence and aggression, interpersonal and social skills, and drug and alcohol use.
- Manage risk. Assess and manage risks of reoffending, violence, self-harm and suicide; contribute to release and resettlement plans; monitor and review.
- Report and give evidence. Psychological reports for courts, parole boards and mental health tribunals, and expert evidence where the role requires.
- Advise and train. Consult to prison, probation, healthcare and social care staff on behaviour, risk, care and rehabilitation; train staff; support them to manage stress and work safely and consistently.
- Research and develop. Research, audits and service evaluations; contribute to service and policy development; supervise trainee psychologists with experience.
The National Careers Service adds the task most people associate with the job, helping police identify possible suspects, known as criminal profiling, and advising on how to reduce stress and improve life inside prisons.
Where forensic psychologists work
NHS Health Careers says the largest single employer of forensic psychologists in the UK is HM Prison Service, and that they are also employed by specialist NHS mental health settings such as secure hospitals, social services, offender management services such as police and probation, and academic departments. The National Careers Service lists prisons, NHS or private hospitals, police stations and the community, and warns that the environment may be emotionally demanding and involves frequent travel.
| Setting | Typical focus |
|---|---|
| Prisons and young offender institutions | Offending behaviour programmes, risk assessment, parole reports, staff advice |
| Secure mental health services | Assessment, formulation and therapy within a multidisciplinary clinical team |
| Probation and community | Risk management, resettlement, community interventions |
| Courts and tribunals | Expert reports and evidence |
| Police | Investigative advice, profiling, staff support |
| Universities | Teaching, supervision and research |
Health Careers notes that most forensic psychologists work with adults, and that some specialise in young offenders and the youth justice system. A job description should name the setting and the population in its first line.
Skills to ask for
The National Careers Service lists knowledge of psychology; counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach; analytical thinking; the ability to understand people's reactions; sensitivity and understanding; the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure; patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations; excellent written communication; and confident computer use. It says you will need to pass enhanced background checks.
Three points matter most in practice.
- Written communication. Reports read by courts and parole boards decide liberty; they must be clear, evidenced and defensible.
- Boundaries and resilience. The work involves distressing material and people who may try to manipulate; supervision and reflective practice are part of the job, not an extra.
- Working across professions. Prison officers, nurses, probation officers, lawyers and judges all use the psychologist's work; it has to be explained in their terms.
Training and registration in the UK
The National Careers Service describes two routes. On the accredited degree route, you take a psychology degree or conversion course accredited by the British Psychological Society, gain the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership, complete a BPS-accredited master's degree in forensic psychology (stage 1) and then two years of supervised practice (stage 2 of the BPS qualification). Some universities offer a doctorate in forensic psychology, which the service says is the equivalent of the accredited master's plus the two years of supervised practice. It notes that there is a lot of competition for postgraduate training, and that applicants may need a first or upper second class degree, evidence of research skills and relevant experience in a prison, probation or youth offending service. Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council is required.
Health Careers adds that experience “is also essential when applying to forensic psychology programmes”, paid or voluntary, with preference for forensic settings. The National Careers Service points to one work route: starting as an interventions facilitator in HM Prison Service, studying for a psychology degree part-time and applying for a trainee forensic psychologist role.
For a job description, the requirements follow from the grade: HCPC registration as a forensic psychologist for qualified posts; GBC and enrolment on, or eligibility for, stage 2 for trainee posts; enhanced background checks for all.
Working pattern
Prospects says forensic psychologists in HM Prison and Probation Service normally work 37 hours a week, Monday to Friday, and NHS full-time roles are typically 37.5 hours, with part-time, job-share and flexible arrangements possibly available. The National Careers Service gives 37 to 40 hours, between 8am and 6pm on a rota. State the pattern, the base and the travel, and the security requirements of the site.
Forensic psychologist job description template
Job title: Forensic Psychologist (Registered) or Trainee Forensic Psychologist
Reports to: Lead or Principal Psychologist; clinically supervised by a registered forensic psychologist
Setting and population: State it: prison, secure mental health service, probation, youth justice; adults or young people.
Purpose: Provide psychological assessment, formulation, intervention and risk management for people who have offended, and psychological advice to the multidisciplinary team, to reduce risk, support rehabilitation and protect the public.
Responsibilities:
- Carry out psychological and risk assessments using interviews, observation, records and psychometric tests.
- Develop psychological formulations of offending behaviour, needs and vulnerabilities.
- Plan, deliver and evaluate evidence-based interventions with individuals and groups.
- Assess and manage risk of reoffending, violence, self-harm and suicide; contribute to release and resettlement planning.
- Prepare psychological reports for courts, parole boards and tribunals; give evidence where required.
- Advise and train prison, probation, healthcare and social care staff; support staff wellbeing and safe practice.
- Undertake research, audit and service evaluation; contribute to service development.
- Supervise trainees and assistants (registered posts); engage in supervision and continuing professional development.
- Maintain records to professional and data protection standards.
Requirements:
- Registered posts: HCPC registration as a forensic psychologist; BPS chartered status desirable.
- Trainee posts: Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership and a BPS-accredited MSc in forensic psychology (stage 1), or enrolment on an equivalent doctorate.
- Experience in a forensic setting; enhanced background checks; the skills listed by the National Careers Service.
Working pattern: Hours, base, travel, security vetting.
Our job description template explains each section, and our employee onboarding guide covers the first weeks, which in secure settings include security induction and keys.
Frequently asked questions
What does a forensic psychologist do?
Forensic psychologists study criminal behaviour and the reasons behind it and help to treat people who have committed offences, as the National Careers Service puts it. They assess people and their risk, formulate their offending, deliver treatment, manage risk, write reports for courts and parole boards, advise and train prison and probation staff, and carry out research.
What are the duties of a forensic psychologist?
Seven: assess, formulate, treat, manage risk, report and give evidence, advise and train other professionals, and research and develop services. Prospects' list of typical tasks runs from specialist psychological and risk assessments to supervising trainee psychologists.
Where do forensic psychologists work?
Mostly in prisons and young offender institutions, secure NHS and private mental health services, probation and community services, courts and tribunals, police and universities. NHS Health Careers says HM Prison Service is the largest single employer in the UK.
How do you become a forensic psychologist in the UK?
A BPS-accredited psychology degree or conversion course, an accredited master's in forensic psychology (stage 1), then two years of supervised practice (stage 2), or an equivalent doctorate; then registration with the HCPC. Relevant experience in a prison, probation or youth offending service is expected, and competition for training is strong.
What skills does a forensic psychologist need?
The National Careers Service lists knowledge of psychology, counselling skills with a non-judgemental approach, analytical thinking, understanding people's reactions, sensitivity, the ability to accept criticism and work under pressure, patience and calm, excellent written communication and confident computer use. Enhanced background checks are required.
What is the difference between a forensic psychologist and a forensic psychiatrist?
A forensic psychologist has a psychology degree and postgraduate forensic training and is registered with the HCPC; they assess, formulate and treat with psychological methods. A forensic psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has specialised in psychiatry and can prescribe medication. The two work together in secure services.
Your next step: name the setting first
- State the setting and population in the first line of the description.
- Set the registration requirement for the grade: HCPC, or trainee status on the BPS route.
- Use the seven duties and the National Careers Service skills list.
- Plan the first weeks: security induction, supervision arrangements and the multidisciplinary team.
For a structured start in a demanding setting, read and download our employee onboarding guide. The guide is free to read, and the PDF uses our short download form.
Want supervision, objectives and development tracked in one place for psychology teams? Book a New Dynamics demo and bring your current job descriptions. You can also email contact@new-dynamics.com.
